Habs this week – January 11, 2010

MONTREAL - The Canadiens have a quiet start to the week, taking a few days off to get some much needed R & R. Jacques Martin’s troops will be saving their energy to try and vault up the standings at the end of the week, when they’ll face off against the Stars and Senators at home, followed by a one-game road trip to visit the Rangers in New York.

Canadiens vs Stars – Thursday, January 14 @ 7:30 p.m.

The Stars travel north to Montreal to take on the Canadiens for the first and only match-up of the campaign between the two teams. It will be a rare appearance for the team from the Lone Star State, visiting the Bell Centre for the first time since January 16, 2006. Former Hab – and current Star – Mike Ribeiro notched two goals for the Canadiens in the 4-2 win.

Unfortunately for fans looking to see Ribeiro in action once again, they will have to wait until 2010-11. The Montreal native is currently shelved for three to five weeks with a throat injury, caused by an accidental errant high stick by Rangers forward and former Habs teammate, Christopher Higgins.

Canadiens vs Senators – Saturday, January 16 @ 7:00 p.m.

This will mark the second time the Senators will pay a visit to the Bell Centre and of course, the second time Alex Kovalev returns to his former digs. The Habs defense will have to keep an even closer eye on the veteran Russian winger, with Kovy having piled up 7 points over his last 5 games, including his first career four-goal game against on the Flyers back on January 3. The Sens are hurting however, with Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek all sidelined with injuries.

Canadiens @ Rangers – Sunday, January 17 @ 7:00 p.m.

The Canadiens will then make a rare Sunday trip to the Big Apple to take on the Rangers at MSG. the first time these two Original Six rivals locked horns this season, the Canadiens fought back from a 3-1 deficit to down the Rangers 5-4 in overtime on a night that saw Michael Cammalleri both tie the game and notch the overtime winner to complete his hat-trick.

While Henrik “Hank” Lundqvist will have his hands full with Cammy, the Habs’ starter between the pipes that night will have the unenviable task of facing Marian Gaborik, the league’s second-leading sniper, who has somehow managed to shake his tag of being made of porcelain since arriving in NYC.